NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has announced today that a new service provider is set to deliver Integrated Community Equipment Services for local health and social care equipment users across North Yorkshire. 

The project to commission a new Integrated Community Equipment service started in November 2015 when local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and North Yorkshire County Council joined forces to call for the opinions of local health and social care equipment users, members of the public and clinicians. The information collected from conversations, surveys and drop-in sessions was used to form the basis of developing the new service.

A formal procurement process to secure a new service provider for Integrated Community Equipment services was then undertaken. The provider has been confirmed as Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd.  Commissioners look forward to working with the new provider in order to mobilise the new service, launching on the 1st December 2016.

Health and social care equipment includes a range of products to assist independent living at home including mobility and communication aids shower chairs, perching stools, kettle tippers and pressure relieving mattresses.

A spokesperson for Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to provide the Integrated Community Equipment Service across North Yorkshire.
 
“As the leading provider of equipment services in the UK, Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd is well placed to deliver a highly efficient, cost effective service with courtesy and kindness, whilst helping to keep people independent for longer”. 

Dr Lorraine Boyd, a GP working in Easingwold, North Yorkshire said: “Mobility and communication aids help to support adults and children to live independently at home and these items help massively to provide that independence which is important to so many people.

“We have been able to commission services that have been driven by the needs of local service users and patients and I thank those members of the community who shared their views and worked with us to coproduce the specification for this new service contract”.

Paul Cresswell, Assistant Director North Yorkshire County Council said: “The need to be confident and comfortable in your own home is key to living a happy and fulfilled life. 

“The provision of equipment supports people to continue to live independently in their own homes for as long as they are able. 

“This new provision ensures North Yorkshire County Council can continue to promote and support people to be independent through an improved service”.

Ends

Notes to editors

The Clinical Commissioning Groups involved in the procurement are:

NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG
NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG.
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG
NHS Vale of York CCG

Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd is the largest outsource provider of Integrated Community Equipment Services in the UK working with over 40 local authority / NHS CCG commissioning partners across the country. For more information to go www.medequipuk.com.

Healthwatch York is working with NHS Vale of York CCG to support the involvement of people using community equipment and wheelchair services. For anyone interested in being part of the Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services Forum, the next meeting is on 19 September at West Offices, 11am to 1pm. For further details contact Carole.Money@yorkcvs.org.uk or call 01904 621 133.

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